About The Krause Law Firm, P.C.
Estate planning Sioux Falls clients in Minnehaha County find legal counsel at The Krause Law Firm, P.C., a South Dakota practice offering estate planning, bankruptcy, family law, immigration, and general legal services to individuals and families in the Sioux Falls area. Located in Sioux Falls — the most populous city in South Dakota and the commercial center of the region — the Krause Law Firm serves clients who benefit from South Dakota’s distinctively favorable legal environment for estate planning and trust administration.
South Dakota has long been recognized as one of the most trust-friendly states in the nation, with laws that attract trust assets from across the country. For local Sioux Falls residents, the Krause Law Firm brings this advantageous legal environment to everyday estate planning — providing individuals and families with access to South Dakota’s modern trust statutes for their own planning needs, not just for large institutional clients.
Estate Planning Sioux Falls — Practice Areas in Minnehaha County
Minnehaha County estate and probate matters are handled through the Minnehaha County Circuit Court in Sioux Falls, which is part of the Second Judicial Circuit. South Dakota’s estate planning landscape is shaped by the state’s absence of a state income tax, its perpetual trust statutes, and its strong asset protection laws — all of which make thoughtful estate planning particularly valuable for Sioux Falls residents seeking to maximize what they pass to the next generation.
- Wills — simple and complex testamentary instruments under South Dakota law
- Revocable Living Trusts — avoiding probate and ensuring privacy for Minnehaha County estates
- Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives
- Probate Administration — Minnehaha County Circuit Court proceedings
What Sioux Falls Clients Say
Estate planning clients in Sioux Falls consistently value attorneys who explain the practical differences between a will-based plan and a trust-based plan — and who take the time to understand the family’s specific circumstances before recommending an approach. For Minnehaha County residents with farm or business assets, blended families, or minor children, the right estate planning structure makes an enormous difference, and local counsel who understands South Dakota’s specific statutes provides guidance that generic online tools cannot match.
Serving: Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County
Practice Focus: Estate planning — wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate; also family law and bankruptcy
Local Courts: Minnehaha County Circuit Court (2nd Judicial Circuit), Sioux Falls
Key Resource: South Dakota Unified Judicial System — Probate
Related Guide: Estate Planning Attorneys in South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota have an estate tax that affects Sioux Falls residents?
South Dakota has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax — one of a majority of states that have eliminated these levies. Sioux Falls residents are only subject to the federal estate tax, which applies to estates exceeding the federal exemption (currently $13.61 million per individual in 2024, though this exemption is scheduled to drop approximately in half after December 31, 2025 when current TCJA provisions sunset). For most Minnehaha County residents, federal estate tax is not a concern under current law, but the scheduled 2026 exemption reduction makes planning now particularly timely for those with significant assets.
What is a revocable living trust and when does it make sense for a Sioux Falls family?
A revocable living trust is a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of your assets to the trust during your lifetime, while retaining full control as trustee. At death, the trust assets pass to your beneficiaries without going through South Dakota probate — avoiding the cost, time, and public nature of the probate court process. A trust-based plan makes particular sense for Sioux Falls families who own real estate in multiple states (each state’s real estate would otherwise require a separate probate proceeding), who have minor children (the trust can manage assets until children reach a specified age), or who value privacy in the distribution of their estate.
How does South Dakota’s probate process work for Minnehaha County estates?
South Dakota probate is administered through the circuit court of the county where the deceased resided — for Sioux Falls residents, that is Minnehaha County Circuit Court. South Dakota uses the Uniform Probate Code, which provides both formal and informal probate procedures. Informal probate (available for straightforward estates without disputes) is handled through the Register of Deeds without court hearings, making it faster than formal probate. Formal probate involves court supervision and is used when disputes arise or when the court’s authority is needed. South Dakota has a four-month creditor claim period that runs from the date of published notice.
